the kind of future you don't want to have ((future!verse))

[slayers_desire]

It was midnight.

The perfect time for Dark Oak to be out hunting. There was no out at this time beside the ones she hunted anyway. They locked up the humans to control the streets. The Kandorians.

But they couldn't control her. She was the best one for the job when it came to an assassination, such as her goal for tonight. To get in and do the job without getting noticed and without leaving any trace of what happened.

One night at a time they attempted to reclaim their world. Tried to work against Zod and his army. And tried to reclaim the lives of thousands of innocent people.

And while she worked for a rebel team, Dark Oak still felt alone. Her heart felt heavy, ever since she and Clark got separated. Zod seemed determined in making Clark hurt... and Dark Oak did what she could to hurt Zod back.

The darkness was there again in her mind. And she had to take a moment to stop... and wait...

Comments

[jla-npc.livejournal.com]

He nods, understanding. "Good luck. I'll catch up with you later." Then he returns to his task.

((Anytime you want to skip ahead is fine with me. Lois will show up the next morning))

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

Things are so different. There was once a time Dark Oak would socialize with her other heroes. Bust her butt to gain their approval.

Now... she just doesn't care. She does her job. Kills those who need killed. Feeds those who need to be fed. And goes home to her secret base alone.

Her underground base is protected by an enhanced Buffyverse spell, where she used Kryptonite to basically case an anti-Kandorian ward around it. They can't get to her. And if they do... alarms sound so she can escape in time.

It is like living in Qua-Toth all over again. She would cry... except she has no tears left. And lays down on the bed for sleep. For another day to pass.

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

The red sun rises the next morning, dark and malevolent as it always is. But today, there's something new.

For Clark, the day begins as usual, trying to ignore the sounds of human suffering around him. And he doesn't look anymore when Alia, the guard for today, burns a man for stealing. That's why it comes as such a shock to hear Lois's voice, sounding confused and alarmed.

He's reluctant to give up his father's watch, but Lois's life is more valuable than holding onto an heirloom. And he doesn't hesitate to hand it over, guaranteeing her safety. For now.

While he leads Lois deeper into the prison, away from the notice of the guards, he reaches out to the bond. April? Are you there?

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

Rising to a red sun is not a nice thing. But better that than no sun she supposes...

Clark? I am here.

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

Hey. He tries not to reach out too often or too much, for fear of distracting her. Or being selfish. But this is too important to keep to himself. I have a visitor... Lois just turned up.

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

Lois? That makes her sit up and take notice. Literally. But she disappeared so long ago... how is this possible?

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

I don't know. I'll ask her.

Finally deep enough in the barn to fool himself into thinking it's safe, he turns to Lois. And bit by bit, the confusing story comes out. The Legion ring from my desk... she found it a year ago.

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

An opportunity.

Does she still have it? Can we send her back with a warning?

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

He's already asking Lois, even as April asks. "Do you still have it?"

Lois nods. But before Clark can tell her what it is, one of the guards appears, sneering down at them. "General Zod would like to see you."

Clark has no time to explain, to get her sent back. There's only one thing he can do. "Protect the ring," he whispers to her. And before he knows what he's doing, he attempts to punch the guard. A futile gesture, and one that rewards him with being tossed aside like a toy, as they haul Lois away.

Dammit.

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

What? What happened?

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

He picks himself up, glaring at the guards. She still has it, but the guards just took her to Zod. I didn't have time to explain to her what it does.

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

I could contact her mind. Tell her. She could also find Lois. Keep her safe from Zod too.

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

She's stubborn and confused. She'll probably argue with you, or give herself away long enough to attract Zod's attention.

It's hard to know what to do, especially when he hasn't been any kind of leader for a year. Can you get the resistance together and mount a rescue, or... something?

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

Dark Oak pauses. She was never a leader. A trusted ally yes... but never really took charge.

But this is their only chance of normalcy. Yes.

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

Practically, he knows that if they succeed, it won't matter how many die in the attempt. But at the same time, he wants them all to be safe. Be careful.

I wish I could be going with you.

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

In her eyes there is only one way to complete this mission, with the full team. And his wish might soon get answered.

No matter what happens... remember I love you. She might have to pull some dirty tricks to get the others to agree with her.

Dressing in her costume, she leaves and heads towards the rebel base.

[kalel-ofkrypton.livejournal.com]

And I love you. No matter what happens. It's not the first time he's had to take a back seat role, out of contact with what's going on. But that's all about to change.

Chloe's base is a house a ways out from Smallville. Or, more accurately, the storm cellar. She and the resistance have expanded the underground shelter to hold operatives and the few innocents that they have been able to save.

The door is guarded by one rebel, concealed in a discarded hunter's blind. It's the best they can do for shelter from prying eyes, and though the Kandorians could likely find them if they tried, they haven't just yet. Almost no one has guns anymore, but Oliver and his crew have wasted no time creating arrows with kryptonite heads, and outfitting everyone with at least a crossbow.

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

Dark Oak could easily go past the guard without being noticed, but she makes the effort of being seen. Of reporting in. So they know she is coming in.

It must be something serious. After all, she was't called to get information on an assignment.

[smallvillians.livejournal.com]

Watchtower herself is busy looking over a hand-drawn map of the area, and glances up as she hears the door squeak open. "Coming here in person. Must be big news."

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

"Lois Lane was spotted in the Smallville farm camp. The guards have taken her to see Zod." There is no codename for this situation. They never even thought of it happening.

[smallvillians.livejournal.com]

"What?" Chloe's so used to speaking code that a straight answer is hard to understand for a moment. Especially that particular message. "Are you serious?"

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

"Very serious. Clark just saw her at the camp. And tried to stop her from being taken."

[smallvillians.livejournal.com]

"She's been gone for a year. It's nice to know that she isn't dead, but I'm not sure what we can do about it if Zod's interested in her."

[slayers-desire.livejournal.com]

"We have to do something."

"Lois has a Legion ring, a time traveling device. She disappeared a year ago because she went forward in time, to this point. If we rescue her, we can send her back. And stop everything before it gets bad."

[smallvillians.livejournal.com]

Chloe stares at her. That has caught her attention. She has people's lives to think about, but the temptation of a Legion ring is a big one. And she has to decide if it's strategically worth it to try. "We could all die trying."